[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6568251,"mediaKeyId","3206066-b0dc78b4f9b731f190bb0f33b48510d6","parentId",3206066,"title","Port Arthur council hears three zoning measures, residents raise truck-noise and diesel-fume concerns","audioSeconds",621,"startMs",783000,"endMs",1404000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3206066-b0dc78b4f9b731f190bb0f33b48510d6&start=783&end=1404","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3206066-b0dc78b4f9b731f190bb0f33b48510d6/thumbnail_783000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6568251/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Port-Arthur-council-hears-three-zoning-measures-residents-raise-truck-noise-and-diesel-fume-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568251-ba01d5f71abf8840d7fe33adeba515f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163886&Signature=WshkeyCDmz5O27zzsujn5YJjQQhfRWSawYWaOpTP6uGcMkEoWOiY4ebfGvTgZLQjSmEg2aWjSZsFyAlldKutFYpCfUEnqkBQL-eVnGpEO0CJnxemeapSWE-Apqx73A3t7~cQ7gE~mOEcYDKqq4~XUuL~SvzWbtbMn~g0TAPw0WFJlSQqkXZOXg~5079mVkncW0Oe9TuLUI0I5MUCQ9TPqH3d6ya1N8dEblwuQIhy7Y5LAu7w~LMHqn16Jrhx4TWWwsrTXfDG5KV3aU5aHAV7cLPkUgmfAdN6O9L1GaUhrphdRh-3MFqUa1GELJ2PrwyEZxPdmdxVXXLNYXpyPU1FvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Port Arthur","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","Port Arthur City Council opened public hearings May 6 on three planning items: a rezoning request to make roughly 220.7 acres a planned development for single-family homes and neighborhood retail; a citywide zoning text amendment to allow automobile-related uses in the city's light and heavy industrial districts; and a specific-use permit request for a proposed neighborhood shopping center (one half proposed as a washeteria) at 3645 and 3635 30th Ninth Street.

Why it matters: the measures change where and how housing and vehicle-related businesses can locate in Port Arthur, and residents raised public-safety and livability concerns — especially near low-density neighborhoods and along rail corridors.

City planner presentation and scope
Miss Milo, the city staff presenter, told council the map-amendment application (filed Jan. 7, 2025) would rezone Lots 5–7, Block 10, Tract 1 (about 220.7 acres) from commercial retail to a planned development district to allow about 35 single-family lots plus several small retail/strip centers adjacent to Memorial High School. Milo said Planning & Zoning held a special meeting Feb. 20 and recommended approval 3-0; no written objections were received in the 200-foot notice radius. Milo walked council through the conceptual rendering and said the final ordinance would set the precise uses and standards for the planned development.

Citywide amendment for automobile uses
Milo also presented a proposed zoning text amendment to Appendix A, Section 3.03 (land-use table) to explicitly add automobile-related uses (tire sales, automobile sales and repair, automobile option, auto parts, minor repair) into the light and heavy industrial districts. Milo said the Planning & Zoning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend approval. She said notices were mailed citywide via the April water-bill cycle and published in the Port Arthur News.

Public comments: noise, diesel fumes, truck traffic
Several residents turned out to oppose the expansion of industrial uses near homes. Jordan Herrera, of 2224 Second Avenue, said heavy equipment and 18-wheelers operate next to homes for long hours and described diesel exhaust, high noise levels and late-night work that he said had worsened after prior complaints. Chief of Police and code-enforcement staff responded that officers and code enforcement have responded previously, issued a citation in at least one instance and that some uses (heavy truck activity) are permitted by the current 1989 zoning for the area Herrera described. Staff said notices were handled via the water bill because the text amendment is citywide rather than a 200-foot-radius case.

Council questions and clarifications
Mayor Pro Tem Beckham, whose district includes the rezoning site, pressed staff on the housing and retail mix, confirming the conceptual plan showed about 35 single-family lots and several small strip centers. Milo said the planned development ordinance would be drafted to allow typically residential-supporting commercial uses by right (convenience stores, offices, restaurants) while activities such as game rooms would require a specific-use permit. Council members asked whether planned development approval would allow multifamily; staff said the proposal calls for single-family lots and the PD's ordinance language would control allowed uses. Councilmember Lewis asked and staff confirmed the Planning & Zoning recommendation was approval and reviewed the statutory voting thresholds under the Texas Local Government Code (Sections 211.006 and 211.007): a simple majority of council is required if Planning & Zoning recommends approval.

Specific-use permit: 3645–3635 30th Ninth Street
On the specific-use permit for a small shopping center (one half described in the packet as a 3,000-square-foot washeteria), applicant representative Dr. Haney said the spaces are for lease; staff clarified that neighborhood-service uses (convenience stores, offices, washeterias) would be allowed by right under the existing PD but more intense uses would require specific-use review by Planning & Zoning.

What council did
Council closed the public hearings on the items but did not record final ordinance votes on the rezonings or text amendments in the transcript excerpt. Staff confirmed the matters remain available for council action after the public-hearing record is complete; any formal approval would be taken in a subsequent action item and requires the statutory vote thresholds noted by staff.

What comes next
Staff said the planned development will be drafted into an ordinance for council consideration; applicants will need to comply with any PD standards and required permits. Council and staff repeatedly told residents that if businesses exceed permitted hours or produce violations (noise, nuisances, hazardous emissions) they should call code enforcement or police to document incidents so staff can enforce codes.

Ending
Council members and staff said they would bring the formal ordinance back for consideration after drafting the PD and confirming notice requirements. Residents said they would continue to press for enforcement where heavy equipment and truck operations affect nearby homes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Port Arthur - City Council - May 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Port Arthur City Council opened public hearings May 6 on a planned-development rezoning for about 220.7 acres near Memorial High School, a citywide zoning text amendment to add automobile-related uses to industrial districts, and a specific-use permit for a neighborhood shopping center; residents testified about long-running truck-noise and diesel-exhaust problems near homes.","taxTitle","Port Arthur City, Jefferson County, Texas","taxId",5749,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568238,"Votes at a glance: Port Arthur council approves contracts, renamings and budget amendments on May 6",8225,261000,8486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3206066-b0dc78b4f9b731f190bb0f33b48510d6&start=261&end=8486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3206066-b0dc78b4f9b731f190bb0f33b48510d6/thumbnail_261000.jpg","/articles/6568238/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Port-Arthur-council-approves-contracts-renamings-and-budget-amendments-on-May-6","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568238-0f959f4ad6536a21df34787a4fc1a768/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163885&Signature=IdQzpy0NzX03TWI~n6o2zMFoSDqKXeIUB2Aj~bClTX5hgaDSnPuSrMlVnVBKZPlqkRpojO1efPNT7FeOSQl550Bui2MhIa2jVai6lihGOZ~ao8dgJu3yJy1dpen-sLF54RacpnwL5eVWa1JexMQaVMJCSbX7mZAD03dtdMoIC7ojRWsNOyhcFm8N5IJZ4BA6hH-WAcbmtk-B2kAtkCt6QDBDgWAu0CR4eeMsqddR~8nAw~0k3T4oqoJvFS1DnltiU6lsNfpThX~JpvXgI6XmzuKf~~kKWSW~0g60ubzlvVnSCJ0M2WFbsN5cWxQ91sbcJ0OeFIbFmYXI~9s7nHKnRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","This summary lists formal council actions recorded on May 6, 2025. It highlights the motion outcome and the primary purpose of each approved item as recorded in the meeting transcript.

Key votes and outcomes
- PR24313 (ceremonial street-naming policy exception): Approved. The council voted to grant a one-time exception to the ceremonial street-naming policy as requested by the mayor.

- PR24314 (ceremonial renaming of West Sixth Street): Approved. The council approved renaming West Sixth Street from Denbow Avenue to Foley Avenue in honor of Zachary Broe (clerical correction of year of death was noted).

- PR24166 & PR24167 (grass-mowing service contracts): Approved. Council awarded multiple one‑year contracts to a list of local vendors for mowing of privately owned and city-owned vacant and developed lots across designated service areas (area A and areas B–E); awards set an ordered roster of vendors for per-square-foot and per-acre mowing services (annual projected budgetary impact combined per packet).

- PR24189 (purchase of repair clamps): Approved. Council authorized purchase agreements with several vendors for water-utilities repair clamps (annual projected impact as stated in packet).

- PR24270 (EDC performance agreement with CGLR Properties LLC): Approved. City EDC to provide up to $400,000 for a downtown/commercial redevelopment project (project and local economic-development terms in packet).

- PR24297 (award for Rice Farm Road drainage phase 1): Approved. Council awarded a bid for land cover/installation under Jimmy Johnson Boulevard as part of the Rice Farm Road drainage-improvement Phase 1 project ($745,752 per staff report).

- PR24304 (animal-shelter change order): Approved. Council approved the contract change order increasing the animal-shelter construction contract by $426,585.34 and extending the schedule; council also approved related budget amendment PO7331.

- PR24305 (Atlanta Waterline change order): Approved. Council approved change order number 2 to the Atlanta Waterline Improvement Project contract, increasing the contract by $109,900 (project and funding items noted in packet).

- PR24307 (DR grant management contract with The Dura Group, LLC): Approved. Council authorized a contract for disaster recovery grant management and administration services not to exceed $1,800,000, funded from ARPA/interest account per packet.

- PO7331 (appropriation ordinance / budget amendment): Approved. Council adopted the appropriation ordinance amending FY2025 budgets and transferring funds across restricted capital and utility accounts to accommodate approved change orders and capital needs.

Items tabled
- PR24287 (OPR abatement trust distribution / opioid review board): Tabled. Council asked staff to return with clarifications and a timeline for establishing the opioid-review board and how distributions will be used; staff will report back with recommended timelines.

Notes on vote tallies and documentation
The transcript recorded motions, seconds and general \"ayes\" for most roll-call items but did not always capture a full roll-call tally for each approval in the excerpt. For items that require additional documentation (major change orders and multi-vendor procurement), council asked staff to provide contract copies, back-up documentation and schedule updates for the public record.

Ending
Staff will supply contract documentation and revised schedules where requested and will return tabled items with additional information at a future council meeting.","Port Arthur City Council approved multiple resolutions May 6, including ceremonial street renamings, vendor mowing contracts, several construction change orders and a disaster-recovery administration contract; it also adopted a budget amendment that reallocates capital funds to cover change orders.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568242,"Council approves $426,585 change order for Port Arthur animal shelter after contractor finds buried foundations",335,7841000,8176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3206066-b0dc78b4f9b731f190bb0f33b48510d6&start=7841&end=8176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3206066-b0dc78b4f9b731f190bb0f33b48510d6/thumbnail_7841000.jpg","/articles/6568242/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Council-approves-426585-change-order-for-Port-Arthur-animal-shelter-after-contractor-finds-buried-foundations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568242-50e14d7848cc5e03adfc79dfaf7aa918/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163885&Signature=iNQSYjwkYiejiLulOerNbnpA2j6ILhmk2Ou54up21mgXfUPePQlktiBUjCPpFKeVoClyFmMlXnnQ7qqHejAduhk05N~OG4vTouNdnrOJZQ~ioS-9-vMdSrw68oMQ5ZrXGT-mZzcEq-nHV5lvSBBGyMNc24VS7MCLHnBKjhDMPeMxMgsmzL6T9ORSMrBM95aO7rZZn5IkR9cwpZjPGsIGVSYLitKWphiCcQDglv31zWQ3ddyc0TH3E34O-34aoxzrmBnPEsN8NSfvh3bYbqjWZPD430S2APOaOsbPNFq4XxoUMTf4uhQDdybn23fXXNwATibq6RvjWUbJftZwbmYW7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Port Arthur City Council approved May 6 a change order increasing the construction contract for the city's new animal shelter by $426,585.34, citing unexpected underground conditions discovered during excavation that required redesign and additional work. The council also approved a linked budget amendment to cover the increase.

What the council approved
Construction Zone (contractor) submitted change order number 1 (actually noted in the packet as change order number 2) to increase the contract by $426,585.34 and to add 214 calendar days to the contract timeline; the new contract total was stated in the staff report as $8,376,034 (construction total) with the revised completion target discussed as October (staff schedule). Council voted to approve the change order and the budget amendment (Ordinance PO7331) that reallocated capital funds to cover the increase.

Why the increase occurred
John Polk of Construction Zone told council crews encountered previously unknown concrete foundations (piles/pylons) and other subsurface obstructions at the site formerly occupied by Saint Mary's Hospital, which required additional excavation, redesign of foundations and extra work. Architect Paul Barnett (PGAL) and code-compliance manager Darlene Thomas Pierre described the work as involving additional underground remediation and foundation reconfiguration; staff said Entergy and other utility-related coordination was also pending and had affected sequencing. The project manager reported the current completion target as October, after the added days are applied.

Council concerns and staff answers
Several council members, including Councilmember Doucette and Councilmember Kinlaw, said they had visited the site and were surprised by periods with reduced visible activity; they pressed staff on why the subsurface conditions had not been identified earlier and on how the contingency had been used. Finance director Lynn Boswell said the city had initially budgeted a capital authorization that included contingency (the packet and staff said the budgeted reserve for the project included approximately $300,000 in general contingency and additional unspent capital dollars in the capital fund). Staff explained the requested change order will be covered by the capital account and that a budget amendment was required to reallocate restricted capital funds to the construction line-item.

Contractor and schedule details
Construction Zone said the added contract sum was primarily driven by removal of unexpected piles and additional support/foundation work; the contractor said crews have resumed work and that the schedule shows a finish in mid-to-late calendar Q3/early Q4 (architect said October in the hearing). The city project team said delays also resulted from required revised engineered foundation details.

What council asked staff to do
Several council members asked for copies of the construction contract and change-order documentation, and for more frequent project reporting. Staff said they would provide the requested contract and ongoing project updates to council.

Ending
Council approved the change order and the budget amendment; staff will provide the contract and a clearer schedule and will continue coordination with the architect and contractor on the revised completion timeline.","Port Arthur City Council voted May 6 to approve a $426,585 change order to the construction contract for the new animal shelter after contractors discovered unexpected buried foundations and underground conditions; council debated the cost, contingency and schedule extension.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568247,"Port Arthur residents, poll workers press council on inconsistent voting locations and hours; council discusses county-run option",1384,3690000,5074000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3206066-b0dc78b4f9b731f190bb0f33b48510d6&start=3690&end=5074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3206066-b0dc78b4f9b731f190bb0f33b48510d6/thumbnail_3690000.jpg","/articles/6568247/Port-Arthur-City/Jefferson-County/Texas/Port-Arthur-residents-poll-workers-press-council-on-inconsistent-voting-locations-and-hours-council-discusses-county-run-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568247-daf8f6edc60bc4840bb61e4a6471a944/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163885&Signature=CrCg3-LxEwXmghRbqE7LGc8a8vGq6yy6cgcSTiU9nrzof9Yxdn6YFWEZqOwX8c6rKY14QrrCVnf7GSdtfilnFsCexspXSRhZqeiru4N1lfXzBtzM~AEHir5mOWvwbSQe8M8rkuBbWfa7QRqLRzBwAE3~ZiOfM8HVNSmcq3-XyAlO7B0WxAdNUEl48-4710COevm~7ty8jvtnK9lbXt7TLlrWrh1xp5edZzNlPvZzIYXa9DiEserK4gqxDUHS9jUIztlaGP38g16Pvrj3GTNS5D18Lj30d4poGkCSN1oD0uBfgiZspKNE1qjlF7-n4jcRKyAs69BFn8CrXGYy2gPLjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several speakers at the May 6 Port Arthur City Council meeting urged city leaders to fix recurring confusion around local elections, citing inconsistent early-voting hours, unexpected precinct assignments and limited parking at the library polling site.

Lede and main point
Constable Christopher Bates and poll worker Kayla Jacobs told council that voters arrived at incorrect locations, that early-voting hours shifted from what residents expected, and that the city's notices (including water-bill inserts and the city website) were insufficient to reach many voters. Both speakers urged the city to contract with the Jefferson County Clerk's Office to run future municipal elections, a change they said would standardize locations, hours and the online results interface.

Why it matters
Speakers said the May 3 early-voting schedule and precinct assignments produced avoidable barriers: voters who expected weekend or extended-hour voting arrived at closed sites or were redirected to distant precincts. Poll workers said campaign tents placed too close to library parking reduced available spaces for voters and contributed to people leaving without voting.

Council and staff response
City Secretary Sherry (identified as the city secretary in the transcript) said the city's ability to operate vote centers (where any voter can cast a ballot at any location) is limited by state election law; municipalities must operate precinct-restricted polling on election day per Texas Election Code. The city secretary confirmed the office had published notice in the Port Arthur News and through water-bill mailings; she also said she has the county link available on the city calendar and the city posts required notices.

County vs. city administration
Constable Bates and several council members said the county-run model could reduce voter confusion and allow vote centers, which are more flexible than precinct-restricted city polls. Councilmembers discussed that past county-run elections appeared cheaper, but the city secretary noted that cost differences have narrowed. Councilmembers asked staff to pursue compatibility with county systems; some councilmembers indicated they will include weekend hours in the order for the upcoming runoff.

Operational fixes suggested
Speakers and councilmembers proposed practical fixes: clearer published schedules, improved precinct maps, voter education using loaned or demonstration voting machines in public places before elections, and better parking enforcement/placement rules for campaign tents at busy sites (the library). Several councilmembers suggested a workshop to review election logistics and to write clear, repeatable rules for poll-site setup, signage and volunteer locations ahead of the runoff.

What council directed
Councilmembers said they will ask the city secretary to mirror the county-hours approach for the runoff and to add weekend or extended hours where permitted. The transcript shows councilmembers agreed to pursue a workshop to review precinct consolidation, polling-site placement, and voter education before the next election cycle.

Ending
Council members said they will return with specific proposals and a timeline; the city secretary and staff will work on clarifying early-voting hours, posting precinct assignments more visibly, and coordinating with the county clerk where feasible.","Multiple residents and poll workers told Port Arthur City Council May 6 that inconsistent early-voting hours and unclear polling locations caused confusion and likely depressed turnout. Council discussed using the Jefferson County Clerk to run municipal elections and directed the city secretary to include weekend hours for the upcoming runoff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Port Arthur council hears three zoning measures, residents raise truck-noise and diesel-fume concerns

Votes at a glance: Port Arthur council approves contracts, renamings and budget amendments on May 6

Council approves $426,585 change order for Port Arthur animal shelter after contractor finds buried foundations

Port Arthur residents, poll workers press council on inconsistent voting locations and hours; council discusses county-run option